The Lovereading4Kids comment

February 2017 Debut of the Month | In a nutshell: girl loves boy/supernatural bounty hunter | When star-crossed lovers Zoe and the boy she nicknames X meet the circumstances are hardly promising: stranded in a blizzard Zoe has fallen into the hands of a psychotic murderer and X, there in his capacity as supernatural bounty hunter responsible for dragging wicked souls to Hell, saves her. When Zoe persuades him to let the man go, her fate and X’s intertwine but as the plot unfolds, we begin to realise that maybe they were part of a bigger story all along. Sassy, fast-talking Zoe is a hugely appealing heroine and X amply supplies in smouldering good looks and romantic anguish what he sometimes lacks in characterisation. It all builds to a terrific climax and this can-they-can’t they-be-together romance is definitely hot.

Reader Reviews

Teens/YA's love to read and so in addition to the review by one of the Lovereading4kids editorial experts some of our Lovereading4kids Reader Review Panel members were also lucky enough to read and review this title. Click here to read their full reviews.

Abbie Bavister, age 14 - 'Completely gripping and impossible to put down. The characters will stay with you for a long time. This book is a must read and bound to be a bestseller.'

Talia Jacobs, age 15 - 'I loved this book. I can guarantee you will too. This book has it all; fantasy, contemporary, romance, action, darkness, family. If you only read one book this year, let it be this one.'

Humaira, age 18 - 'The Edge of Everything is everything. It was an unputdownable book.'

Rebekah Marsh, age 14 - 'Unlike anything I've ever seen before, the book combined fantasy, romance, tragedy and teenage desire into one amazing read that I am still unable to forget.'

Zara Kazi, age 18 - 'I was hooked from the first page. Would definitely recommend.'

Edel Waugh - 'Mixing the real world with other magical worlds, and humans with lords of an underworld hell called the Lowlands is a dangerous and fun combination.'

Synopsis

The Edge of Everything by Jeff Giles

Every day, Zoe struggles to keep going. The cruel winter took her father's life and left her angry and broken hearted. As she carries her little brother through a snowstorm that could kill him in minutes, her only thought is finding shelter. The cabin beyond the woods is far from the place of safety she hoped it would be, but it is there that she meets a man whose muscular body, marked with strange and primitive tattoos, hints at an extraordinary story. He has the power to light up the lake, and with it, Zoe's world. Zoe calls the stranger X. He is a bounty hunter, tormented by the evils of his victims, which course through his veins. X has never known anything but hate, until he meets Zoe. She shows him what a heart is really for and, if they can find a way to be together, just maybe, his pain can help Zoe forget her own.

Reviews

‘I was drawn into this story from the first page. Jeff Giles has written a gripping, utterly original work of fiction that manages to capture all of the joy and the pain, the light and the darkness of growing up. Beautifully written, this is a powerful work of fierce imagination that takes no prisoners! Be prepared, the world of the Lowlands is treacherous—you will meet many dangerous characters! At turns poignant and funny, the story of Zoe and her fight to save her family and the strange young man known only as 'X' will stay with you long after you finish this extraordinary book’ Peter Jackson, Oscar-winning director of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit

‘Sharp, dark, thoughtful and romantic, readers will thrill to the start of this exciting new series’ Cassandra Clare

‘From the moment I started to read I was hooked. A frighteningly plausible exploration of the dark side of human nature, The Edge of Everything is suspenseful, exciting, and surprisingly funny in parts. The narrative voice is fresh and authentic, and all of the characters, no matter how minor, are beautifully fleshed out. This is an immensely enjoyable read and I'm eagerly anticipating the next book’ Louise O’Neill

‘The Edge of Everything is an utterly fantastic book. Dark, funny, exciting, a unique clashing of worlds - one of those stories you’ll read late into the night. More than anything, I fell in love with the characters, so much so that it truly hurt to see what they had to go through. Every human alive should read this book’ James Dashner

‘A fresh and addictive read that grabbed me from the first page and still hasn't let me go. Jeff Giles led me into the darkness -- ultimately reminding me why we should never stop searching for the light’ Kami Garcia

‘A dark and suspenseful supernatural thriller that kept me up all night!’ Melissa De La Cruz

‘A thriller worthy of Stephen King fans’ Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop

‘Awesome!’ Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop

‘Thrilling’ Brittany Smith, The Book Addict’s Guide

‘I held my breath from the first chapter to the last page’ Heather Hebert, Children’s Book World

‘Will surely entice teen readers’ Johanna Albrecht, Flyleaf Books

‘Jeff Giles has created a unique and all-encompassing world. This is original storytelling at its best, and definitely what we need more of in YA’ Celeste Pewter, Reading Nook Reviews

About the Author

Jeff Giles grew up in Cohasset, Massachusetts. Most recently, he was the deputy managing editor of Entertainment Weekly, where he oversaw all coverage of movies and books, including the magazine's championing of YA fiction. Jeff has written for Rolling Stone and The New York Times Books Review. He also coauthored The Terrorist's Son, a nonfiction book that won an Alex Award from the American Library Association and has since been translated into more than a dozen languages. While reporting on The Lord of the Rings movies for Newsweek, Jeff was invited to be an extra in The Return of the King. He played a Rohan soldier, and - because he didn't have a beard or mustache - they glued yak hair to his face. Jeff lives with his family in Montana.